Staff member allegedly assaulted by patient at Colony Farms

A staff member was assaulted by a patient at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam Tuesday afternoon, according to union representatives.

A male patient allegedly assaulted the staff member during his release from long-time seclusion, the B.C. Government and Services Employee Union said in a press release.

The staff’s colleagues were unable to immediately restrain the patient because access was blocked by locked doors, prolonging the assault.

A report has been submitted to the Workers’ Compensation Board. This is the second incident in recent months at the hospital on Colony Farms. In April, a patient reportedly brandished a weapon and RCMP were called in to assist.

The BCGEU is calling on the government for more measures to be put in place to protect workers, such as body armour, blocking pads and meal pass-through doors.